TRIBUTES have been paid to a six-time Christchurch mayor who has passed away.

Former councillor Eric Spreadbury MBE served as a councillor for more than 50 years and was mayor six times.

He retired from council life in 2010 at the age of 91, the borough's longest serving councillor.

Mayor of Christchurch, Cllr Denise Jones, said: "Eric Spreadbury was the most distinguished mayor Christchurch has had in the past century.

"He served as councillor for over fifty years and was mayor six times during that period, ably supported by his wife Barbara.

"He loved Christchurch from the time he moved here during the war and spent his life upholding and enhancing the traditions of this ancient borough.

"The sense of history in the present council chamber owes so much to his vision and determination.

"Throughout Christchurch he fought to preserve the past and worked to see the restoration of Highcliffe Castle.

"He was a mine of information about anything to do with the borough.

"His knowledge, his wisdom, his debating skills and his sense of humour will be remembered by his colleagues.

"On top of that the people of Christchurch saw the love and commitment he gave to the Borough and in return gave him his second name 'Mr Christchurch'.

"As Mayor I feel deeply honoured and very humble to hold the office which he graced with such distinction."

Cllr Spreadbury came to the borough in 1941 as a junior draftsman at the Experimental Bridging Establishment, where he worked on the development of the famous Bailey Bridge.

First elected to the borough council on May 12, 1960, he was first elected Mayor in 1966, where the highlight of his year was the Queen’s visit to Christchurch.